The Lodge On Holly Road-Sheila Roberts

The Lodge On Holly Road

Sheila Roberts

Harlequin MIRA, Oct 28 2014, $7.99

ISBN: 9780778316619

In Seattle, when his wife Faith passed away last year on Christmas Eve, James Claussen lost the Yuletide spirit; which is made worse as he plays Santa for parents to take pictures of their kids sitting on his knee.  After today’s ten hours of torture ends, he plans to escape to a cold beer before seeing his two adult children.  Instead, abetted by the elves, his kindergarten teacher daughter Brooke kidnaps him still in his Claus costume for a family holiday in Icicle Falls with his son Microsoft Systems Analyst Dylan meeting them at the Icicle Creek Lodge with his dad’s clothes which he forget to get.

At Style Savings, single mom (from different fathers) of seven year old Carlos who wants a dog and younger Lalla who wants a grandma, Missy Monroe deals with an ungrateful customer followed by a lecherous one.  After ending her shift, she takes her kids to the Icicle Creek Lodge so they can enjoy the holidays before tightening up on spending again. 

When James and Missy meet, they are attracted to one another.  However, the widower feels guilty that he betrays his late wife made worse by Brooke’s objection; and the hair stylist fears taking a chance on a relationship even with Santa after a run of Mr. Wrongs. 

The latest Life in Icicle Falls' family drama (see The Tea Shop On Lavender Lane, The Cottage On Juniper Ridge and Merry Ex-Mas) is a warm Washington State holiday romance.  The engaging ensemble cast brings joy to readers; as even Santa finds love confusingly complex.

Harriet Klausner